Question

What is meant by the term cluster of differentiation and give its importance in immune response?

Answer 1

What is meant by the term cluster of differentiation and give its importance in immune response?

Answer:

Cluster of differentiation (CD) antigens are cell surface antigens of leukocytes, these cell surface antigens plays important role in immune response. These antigens are found in B cells, T cells, dendritic cells and NK cells. When cells mature these antigens express different protein receptors on the cell surface, which helps in determining the maturation stage and type of the cell. CD protocol involves investigation and identification of cell surface molecules which serves as a target for immunophenotyping of cells. These differentiation antigens are detected by their binding of specific monoclonal antibodies. Apart from cell signalling some CD Ag perform cell adhesion, cell activation and cell inhibition which show its importance in immune response. There are nearly 350 defined CD antigens.